Ilorin elders decry rise in cultism

Some elders from the Ilorin Emirate have decried the rising incidents of cultism and anti-social activities amongst youths in Ilorin and its environs.

There are five local government areas that make up the emirate.

The councils include Ilorin West, Ilorin South, Ilorin East, Moro and Asa had recently witnessed an upsurge in cultism activities,  predominantly among students and artisans like bricklayers, commercial motorcycle/tricycle operators, vulcanizers, panel beaters, mechanics and the likes, where many lives and property had been lost.

Representative of the elders, who is also the coordinator of a youth welfare foundation, Engineer Kamil Dauda, called on parents, community leaders, law enforcement agents and governments in the state to join hand to curtail the development.

 Dauda, who bemoaned attitude of some community leaders in the metropolis that allegedly mount pressure on law enforcement agencies for release of arrested cultists, charged them to desist.

He said that such attitude of the influential people could encourage the menace in the society.

The philanthropist, who said that habits like hemp smoking, illicit drug use and drug abuse among the youths had led to antisocial behaviour and criminal activities in the emirate, added that such act could tarnish image of the ancient town.

Alhaji Dauda also charged patent medicine dealers who are in the habit of dispensing psychotropic, substances among other illicit drugs, to desist for societal well-being.

He said that his foundation, had in the past 10 years, organised series of youth empowerment programmes, extra mural classes, payment of school fees and award of scholarship to indigent students, adding that financial assistance had been provided widows and needy in the Ilorin metropolis.

He also said that the foundation planned to organize student sensitization programme and youth empowerment programme during end of year festive period in the emirate.